The Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Joseph Ikpea, has clarified that Senators do not get hold of the money met for constituency projects.
Ikpea, who promised to sustain effective representation of his constituents, said he would continue to engage with the people with a view to knowing their priority projects. The Edo Central Senator spoke on Tuesday at the Edo Central Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting, at Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, with the theme, ‘Deepening Legislative Accountability, Development Dialogue and Inclusive Participation.’
Senator Ikpea said he would hold regular consultation that would lead to tangible interventions with a view to improving the lives of constituents.
According to him, Senators are not tied to road construction, as we are lawmakers, and money for constituency projects does not come to us as senators.
‘It goes to the relevant MDA, and the MDA will spread the money to the local governments according to how you want it. I will continue to engage with the people with a view to knowing their priority projects so I can lobby for them. ‘It is only in this kind of meeting that you can ask the people to give you their needs analysis.
I have asked them to go to their various local government areas and bring their needs analysis so I can put them into my template, and from that template, I will execute my projects.’
Leader of the APC in Edo Central Senatorial District, General Cecil Esekhaigbe (Rtd.), described the meeting with the constituents as essential to strengthening democratic governance